02/10/2019
Maria, a working mother of three young children, reaches the end of her day with lots left to do. Again, she didn't get the laundry put away or the files sorted in her office. She beats herself up, calling herself a procrastinator, yet she's confused about how she'll ever be able to get it all done when so much happens each day that's out of her control. She plans carefully, but kid's illness, changes at the daycare, and both her and her husband's travel for work always seem to necessitate a change in her plans and delays on some tasks.
Strategies For Change:
My initial strategy for change is for you to begin to categorize in your own mind which delays in your life are procrastination. These are the delays that you want to something about. Knowing this difference is a good place to start.
As you begin to identify which delays are truly voluntary delays that undermine your performance and well-being, you may see a pattern emerge. These tasks, projects, or intended actions may have something in common. For example, you may find that these tasks, projects, or intended actions elicit common feelings.
On a separate piece of paper, or on your computer, or simply as a thought of experiment, list those tasks, projects, activities, or "things" in your life on which you tend to procrastinate. Next to each, jot down what emotions and thoughts come to mind when you think of each of these moments of procrastination. Do not overthink this. It could be, for example, that you are uncertain about what to do to complete a task.
When you have finished your list, look for patterns in the emotions or thoughts involved.